Timex Sinclair 1000
The American-style ZX81: made by Timex, with 2 KB of memory.
The Timex Sinclair 1000, launched in the US in 1982 for US$99.95, was a ZX81 made by Timex under licence, with twice the memory: 2 KB. It was Sinclair's entry into the American market.
Timex and Sinclair
Timex, known for its watches, was already manufacturing computers for Sinclair in Scotland. In 1982 it launched its own version of the ZX81 in the US, the Timex Sinclair 1000, for US$99.95, sold in mass-market retail stores.
Inside it is almost identical to the ZX81: a Z80A processor, a ULA and the same 8 KB BASIC. The main differences are the memory, which went from 1 KB to 2 KB, and the video, adapted to American televisions (NTSC).
The end in the US
The price fell quickly in the home computer price war. In 1984 Timex left the American computer market, but its Portuguese subsidiary carried on making and developing Spectrum-compatible machines, such as the TC2048.
Trivia
- 10 REM
From the outside it can be told apart from the ZX81 by the Timex logo and the number 1000 on the case.
- 20 REM
Like the ZX81, it took the 16 KB RAM pack, and it had the same problem: one nudge and the connection failed.
- 30 REM
Timex later launched the TS1500, with a Spectrum-style case and 16 KB of memory.
The family: Timex
Compared with the other models
| Model | Year | Processor | Memory | Video | Sound | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Timex Sinclair 1000 | 1982 | Z80A · 3,25 MHz | 2 KB | ULA · 32 × 24 mono | — | 8K BASIC |
| Timex TS2068 / TC2068 | 1983 | Z80A · 3,5 MHz | 48 KB | SCLD · 512 × 192 | AY-3-8912 · 3 ch | Timex BASIC |
| Timex Computer 2048 | 1984 | Z80A · 3,5 MHz | 48 KB | SCLD · 512 × 192 | Beeper 1 bit | 48 BASIC |
Let me know when one arrives: Timex Sinclair 1000
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